Special thanks to everyone who participated in FocusOn Learning 2017. You helped make this the best year yet!
DemoFest Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- What is DemoFest, and how is it structured?
- When is DemoFest?
- Is DemoFest unique to eLearning Guild events?
- How is DemoFest different from other project showcases?
Submitting to Participate
- Why would I want to share a project at DemoFest?
- Do I have to give a formal presentation?
- Who can submit to participate?
- Can someone help me present my project?
- What types of projects can be submitted?
- What does a good DemoFest proposal look like?
- What is NOT eligible for DemoFest?
- Can vendors of eLearning products or custom development services participate?
- Can FocusOn Learning event speakers participate?
- When can I submit my project? How do I submit?
- Can I enter multiple submissions?
- What are the basic criteria for being accepted?
- How do I know whether my project has been accepted?
- Will you send me more information if I am accepted?
- What technology do I need to present?
Competition and Awards
- Is this a competition? How will winners be selected?
- What’s the difference between the vendor and non-vendor categories?
General Information
What is DemoFest, and how is it structured?
DemoFest is a showcase of technology-based learning and performance support projects with a special focus on not just the projects themselves but also the results they’ve produced. This event offers you an amazing opportunity to see a wide variety of projects and talk to the designers and developers about the tools, technologies, and processes they used to build them.
Much like a science fair, DemoFest is arranged with a table for each project being shown. The developers and/or designers of each project will be right there to answer any questions you might have about the challenge they were trying to solve, the project design they chose, the development and implementation processes they used, and the results they found once the project was launched. In many cases they’ll even be able to give you a hands-on demonstration.
Feel free to browse all the projects on display or just pick and choose the ones you’re most interested in using the conference app or the DemoFest map you’ll receive when you arrive.
When is DemoFest?
DemoFest will be held Wednesday, June 21, 2017, from 5:00p to 6:30p.
Is DemoFest unique to eLearning Guild events?
Yes. This opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise, as well as to learn from your industry peers, is unique to The eLearning Guild events.
How is DemoFest different from other project showcases?
DemoFest is a place to view actual learning solutions demonstrated by the people who designed and built them. Unlike poster sessions at other conferences, which usually comprise cardboard and paper displays of a course’s features, DemoFest instead offers you the opportunity to see the actual projects themselves, talk to the developers and designers, and have a chance to interact with the solutions. It’s also important to note that DemoFest is NOT a vendor product showcase where solutions are sold to you. It’s instead a peer-to-peer opportunity to explore what others in the industry are working on and to learn from each other’s experiences.
At FocusOn Learning Conference & Expo, DemoFest emphasizes the 3 main focuses of the conference: mobile, games and gamification, and video solutions. Not only will you see these projects in action, but you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the benefits and results these projects provided to their organizations.
Submitting to Participate
Why would I want to share a project at DemoFest?
DemoFest is an opportunity to show your projects and get recognition, insights, and feedback. It’s a fun and collaborative experience that can help you expand your professional network and also help others in our field explore how to approach problems in new ways.
Do I have to give a formal presentation?
No. This is a more conversational event, so there are no formal presentations, handouts, or slides. You’ll have a table at DemoFest to display the devices you bring to showcase your project (such as a mobile device and/or a laptop). Throughout the event you’ll simply demonstrate and discuss your project and then answer questions from the attendees. That said, you may find it helpful to prepare a short description of your project in advance to help you explain it quickly to the people who visit your table.
Who can submit to participate?
Have you also participated in the design or development of a learning solution/project? Are you a registered full-conference attendee of FocusOn Learning? Then you’re eligible to submit an application to present that project. Conference attendees, speakers, and expo exhibitor staff are all able to apply; however, people who intend to attend FocusOn Learning with just free Expo+ registration are not.
Every DemoFest participant must be a full-conference registered attendee. If your submission is selected and you have not registered yet, you’ll be asked to do so as a condition of your acceptance. If you have not registered as a full-conference attendee by 10 days prior to the event, your submission will be pulled.
Can someone help me present my project?
Yes! You may have one additional co-presenter at your table to assist in demonstrating your project. Because of the space constraints of this event, we only allow two presenters per project.
If you’d like to have a co-presenter, be sure to include his or her name and contact information on the submission form, as only the presenters on the original submission will be accepted as demonstrators. Please note that your DemoFest co-presenter must also be a registered full-conference attendee of FocusOn Learning.
What types of projects can be submitted?
We’re looking for a wide variety of creative projects in the areas of mobile learning, games and gamifications, and video solutions. We are also looking for projects that achieved their objectives and had a positive impact on their organizations.
Any type of tech-supported solution that serves to address a learning and/or performance topic is eligible. The project you submit must also be in a playable state, as you’ll need to provide us with a link to view and evaluate your project as part of the submission process.
Note that your submission must be for ONE example project, not multiple. If you have several eligible projects, choose the example that best illustrates your work.
What does a good DemoFest proposal look like?
If you’re interested in taking a look at an example of a solid proposal (as well as some examples of proposals that need more work), click here.
What is NOT eligible for DemoFest?
DemoFest is an opportunity for people to share and discuss the projects they’re working on with others rather than a place to sell courses, software, or services. Because of this, the following types of presentations will not be accepted for DemoFest:
- Product demonstrations or features of products
- Products or applications in beta or other phases of development
- Courses or apps that are sold by the demonstrator’s company (however, if this course was built for a specific organization and is only used by that organization, then it can be submitted)
If you’re a vendor of learning technologies and want an opportunity to demonstrate your products or services at FocusOn Learning, contact Cheri Lynch to inquire about exhibiting on the expo floor, product stage sessions, and other marketing promotional opportunities.
Can vendors of eLearning products or custom development services participate?
YES! Please refer to the question “Who can submit to participate?” above for requirements.
Note that DemoFest is not intended as an opportunity to sell your products or services. Instead, it’s designed for peers to share with one another about the problems they faced and the projects they created to solve them. Anyone who is actively marketing or selling during DemoFest will be asked to leave.
If you have a client who has used your tools or services, you may want to encourage them to participate in DemoFest, and by association your product or services will be showcased. Your client must be a full-conference registered attendee in order to submit.
Can FocusOn Learning event speakers participate?
Yes, FocusOn Learning speakers can participate in DemoFest.
When can I submit my project? How do I submit?
The submission deadline is May 19, 2017. Click here to submit your project using our online form.
Can I enter multiple submissions?
No. DemoFest is limited to one entry per person.
What are the basic criteria for being accepted?
For your proposal to be considered for acceptance:
- It must be submitted by the due date
- You need to meet the registration criteria listed above (as does your co-presenter if you choose to have one)
- It must be the only submission you (and your co-presenter, if you have one) have submitted
- It must not be marketing or selling a product and must not be a demonstration of tools or tool features
- Preference is given to sessions that feature innovative solutions as well as demonstrated results
Beyond that, the final decision is made based on the number of proposals received, the mix of topics received, and the ease with which your project can be explained in your proposal.
Note: If the number of DemoFest submissions exceeds the available slots, companies may be limited to one accepted submission.
How do I know whether my project has been accepted?
Shortly after submitting your project, you’ll receive an automated email confirming the receipt of your submission. After the submission deadline has passed, we will evaluate the proposals received and select the final projects for DemoFest. You can expect a final response on your proposal by early June.
If you have not heard back from us after this time, please contact us at demofest@eLearningGuild.com for your submission status.
Will you send me more information if I am accepted?
Absolutely! If your project is accepted, we’ll send you complete instructions on set-up times, technical options, and more in advance of the event.
What technology do I need to present?
You’ll be expected to bring your own technology to display your project (this is typically a laptop and/or mobile device). If sound is important for your project, we strongly recommend that you also bring external speakers or headphones, as the DemoFest room can at times be loud enough to drown out onboard laptop speakers. Also, while wireless Internet will be available, we encourage you to load your course or program onto your hard drive, a CD, or a USB drive and be prepared to run it locally just in case.
It’s important to note that your table will NOT be wired for power. Because of this, you’ll want to fully charge your presentation devices before DemoFest and even consider bringing an external battery so you’ll be able to demonstrate for the full one and a half hours of the event without running out of power.
Competition and Awards
Is this a competition? How will winners be selected?
While DemoFest is first and foremost an opportunity for people in our field to learn from one another, there is also an award component to give recognition to people willing to show their work. The DemoFest awards are “people’s choice” awards—the winners are voted on by the attendees themselves rather than chosen by a panel or single judge.
One winner will be selected from each DemoFest category. In addition, vendor and non-vendor best of show winners will be selected. There may also be other special awards.
What’s the difference between the vendor and non-vendor categories?
The vendor and non-vendor category definitions are:
- Vendor—The project was built by a person who works for a company that provides eLearning, mobile, and/or video training products or services, custom learning solution, or consultation as the company’s main source of revenue. This category includes individuals who provide consulting services.
- Non-vendor—The project was built by a person who works for a company that does not provide eLearning, mobile and/or video products, services, or consultation as its main source of revenue. This category includes government and military organizations, academic organizations, nonprofit and not-for-profit learning organizations or associations, and internal corporate training departments.
If you’re a vendor who has built a project with a client, you can list your project in the non-vendor category as long as your client is co-presenting with you.
